Downtown Stories

An eclectic mix of distinctive buildings has always been part of Downtown San Mateo's charm. Today, those vintage buildings often host unexpected occupants. The office of public relations firm Offleash provides a striking example.
PR pro Joanna Kulesa founded the firm back in 2003, and set up shop in Downtown San Mateo soon after to take advantage...

Steve Ugur and Andrea Giuliani both started in the restaurant business when they were teens, and met more than a decade ago while working in Downtown San Mateo. In this video, they talk about the contemporary Italian experience they are creating at their new restaurant,...

Taylor Kopf started Cognition Cyclery in Mountain View while still a college student. In 2016, he opened his second store on 4th Avenue in San Mateo. It's the largest bike shop in California. Learn more about Taylor and Cognition in this video.
Photo courtesy of The Daily Journal...

Nick Chaboya is a painter and tattoo artist who founded Golden Moon Gallery to inspire creativity and community, and share his gratitude for the arts. Read more about the gallery, and hear Nick tell his story in this video.
Photo courtesy of The Daily Journal
...

Robert Anderson is a life-long resident of San Mateo, and spent many years as a local police officer.
Every time I walk past the Vendome building at 415 Second Avenue, I think of the storied history of the structure. It was originally built as a hotel...

Ryen Motzek is an owner of Atlas Skateboarding in downtown San Mateo and has been instrumental in bringing public art to downtown.
Downtown San Mateo holds a special place in my heart. From growing up on the Peninsula and later on moving to San Francisco, I always found...

Jay Gordon has been a resident of San Mateo for over 30 years.
I grew up in New York City, and as a kid, Central Park was my backyard. It still is, only now it’s Central Park in San Mateo. I’ve lived here for 30 years....

Joyce Millman is a San Mateo resident and a writer.
My husband and I moved to San Mateo from Boston in 1987. We relocated for our careers, but stayed and raised our son here. We’ve witnessed 30 years of changes to Downtown, but what hasn’t changed...